Diabetes And Restaurants:
6 Things To Remember
When You Eat Out

As someone who's dealing with diabetes, you already know that you need to be watching your food intake very carefully. Each day, you put care into ensuring that you are taking in the right number of carbs on a daily basis and aren't overdoing it to the point where your blood glucose levels start to get out of control.

But what happens when you go out to eat? Sadly, this is one thing that troubles many who have diabetes and can cause them to want to just avoid the event altogether. You refrain from dinners out with friends or invites to special events because you just don't trust yourself to be able to manage.

It doesn't have to be this way. There's no reason to become a hermit just because you suffer from diabetes. You just need to keep a few quick tips and tricks in mind. Then if you apply these when you're sitting down to eat in that restaurant, you can ensure that you enjoy the social experience while keeping your health in mind.

Here's what to know.

Thing 1:

Serving size matters

Don't supersize anything. In fact, request half your meal boxed up before it arrives at your table. This is a great way to instantly control how many carbs you eat.

Thing 2:

Watch the sauce

Remember that sauces are often very high in sugar and/or carbs and are waiting to spike your blood glucose level. Request the sauce to come on the side to avoid this issue.

Thing 3:

Opt for salad

Salads are almost always a safe bet because you can see all the ingredients going into the salad, and if there's anything there that you don't want to eat, you can easily pick through it.

Thing 4:

Beware of beverages

One wrong choice here and you can be taking in hundreds of calories and lots of sugar. Water is your best friend when going out to eat for dinner.

Thing 5:

Request the bread basket be removed

If you feel this is just too tempting for you to resist, ask for it to be removed from the table before you sit down.

Thing 5:

Go lean

Always make sure that you include a lean (not breaded) protein source on your plate. This will help keep your blood glucose level balanced and ensure you get your nutrient needs met.

Remember these few tips and you no longer have to fear eating out. It is possible to lead a healthy and fairly normal lifestyle while living with diabetes, so don't let this disease get you down any longer.

Daily Affirmation: I base my happiness on my own accomplishments and the blessings I've been given.

*This is not a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. You should always consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant adjustment to a dietary, exercise, or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health concern.